+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 26

Thread: Restoring a sporterized P13...

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Fazakerley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Last On
    10-06-2020 @ 08:09 PM
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    7
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:33 AM

    Restoring a sporterized P13...

    Yes, the title is correct… I'm about to embark on the restoration of a sporterized P13. Unfortunately it's been pretty badly abused. The ears have been partly ground down, the stock has been cut and sanded, and the barrel is not original. But it's the only P13 I have and restorations have been undertaken with much less.

    Any advice on finding parts and doing the work would be much appreciated...



    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. Thank You to Fazakerley For This Useful Post:


  3. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  4. #2
    Administrator

    Site Owner
    Badger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    @
    Location
    Toronto, Canada
    Age
    75
    Posts
    12,941
    Real Name
    Doug
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:33 AM
    My Videos in Video Club
    12
    Good luck finding parts to rebuild one of these...

    For members here who are unfamiliar with these very rare pieces, check out the MKLicon for an nice article about them.

    Pattern 1913 "Trials" Rifle (.276 in.) (click here) - 137 pic virtual tour

    (Click PIC to Enlarge)

    (Click PIC to Enlarge)

    Regards,
    Doug

  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Legacy Member Fazakerley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Last On
    10-06-2020 @ 08:09 PM
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    7
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:33 AM
    Thread Starter
    Doug

    Yes, I know I've really got my work cut out, but it's not every day you find a P13, even if it has been through the wringer… I'll post photographs of the finished gun next year. I promise.

    Gary

  7. #4
    Administrator

    Site Owner
    Badger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    @
    Location
    Toronto, Canada
    Age
    75
    Posts
    12,941
    Real Name
    Doug
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:33 AM
    My Videos in Video Club
    12
    Quote Originally Posted by Rakso View Post
    Doug

    Yes, I know I've really got my work cut out, but it's not every day you find a P13, even if it has been through the wringer… I'll post photographs of the finished gun next year. I promise.

    Gary
    The one pictured above is in my wife's collection, so if we can help you through pics and comparing what she has, let us know ..

    Regards,
    Doug

  8. #5
    Advisory Panel Chuckindenver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 12:38 PM
    Location
    Denver Co
    Age
    61
    Posts
    3,152
    Real Name
    chuck
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    10:33 PM
    i was thinking the same thing...good luck with parts...nice find though
    warpath metal finishing contact info.
    molinenorski@msn.com
    720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours.

  9. #6
    Contributing Member
    bigduke6's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 09:09 PM
    Location
    North West England,UK
    Posts
    3,279
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:33 AM
    Gary, there is guy in NZicon who can and has spliced in the missing peace of the stock or (fore-end on Enfields) it looks like yours was cut after the barrel band so still a good chance it could be saved, think the hand gaurds from a P14/M1917 should fit.

  10. #7
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    DocAV's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Last On
    08-18-2017 @ 01:06 AM
    Posts
    102
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:33 PM
    A big project, I am sure.
    Woodwork: if the forewood has not been "Thinned" ( it seems so, given the loss of the Long range (Volley) sight disc, and the absence of the "step" where the Barrel band should be, the rebuilding of the stock may need some very creative woodwork (Finnishicon splice just ahead of the hand grip grooves, so as not to "lose" them....it may be simpler to get a completely NEW stock carved (copied) from an original.

    Top handguards, P14 will suffice.

    Metal work: Volley sights...correct range plates like Rocking Horse Apples...P14 differnt range lines (for .303 MkVII).

    Missing Bands...I suppose P14 will pass Muster...

    Receiver Ears....can be "built up" by TIG welding and then reshaped...not a job for the timid or in-experienced.
    Are the correct rear sight parts there? (again, P13 Ladder is diff. from P14 Ladder markings.)

    Correct Barrel and Markings...Now that is a puzzlement!!!. .276 P13 cartridge is a beast on its own. What barrel is currently in the Gun Now?
    Making a correct barrel is not an easy task...first a barrel blank in 7mm (.284-286) with the correct twist rifling, then a .276P13 reamer set ( custom made) then profiling, threading, setting up...etc. Unless you are a "super: Gunsmith working on "retirement hobby" time, this job alone will cost you four to five times what the Rifle (in its present condition) is worth.

    And at the end, it will simply be a "period restoration/rebuild" piece...like doing up a veteran car and putting a modern Aluminium cylinder block into its engine compartment, after replacing many rusted out panels and all the Upholstery...how much is really "veteran" and how much is "New"....

    But it's your rifle...to do as you please.

    Personally, I would leave it as it is, handload for it in its "sporterised" calibre ( what is it?) and hope one day to pick up a "complete, original" one...They are out there.

    Doc AV.
    ..rebuilder of "sporterised" (not too badly) rifles into Movie Military guns...and the occasionale "representative" collectible., to fill a niche until a good original comes along...Chinese proverb..."Wait on the bank of the river long enough, and the body of your enemy will come floating by...")
    Last edited by DocAV; 11-19-2013 at 04:53 PM.

  11. #8
    Legacy Member Salt Flat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 09:17 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    760
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:33 PM
    Faz, 1) What is the scope? Looks interesting.
    2)Are the P13 markings and serial no. intact? What bothers me most in reference to restoration is that the barrel is not original. Is it some kind of replacement or an original that has been cut. I would agree with docAV that this is one that would be best to leave as is. With the modified ears and non original barrel the starting point is a real challenge. Basically all you have is an action that has been altered. In the end you will have a parts gun with very little original parts. Salt Flat
    Last edited by Salt Flat; 11-20-2013 at 10:41 PM.

  12. #9
    Legacy Member Fazakerley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Last On
    10-06-2020 @ 08:09 PM
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    7
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:33 AM
    Thread Starter

    Thanks for all the input…

    I understand the "just leave it alone" school of thought but all I have right now is a sporterized P13, which is of little interest to me. It does however have the potential as an excellent restoration project.

    Of course most of the parts won't be original. That's a given. But how many times have you visited a museum and seen a car, or an aircraft, which was found without most of its original parts and yet has been successfully restored?

    The story of the Dornier "Flying Pencil" recovered from the Channel is just the latest example to make the newspapers.

    So, we'll see what next year brings and what I manage to do with the remnants of a very important Britishicon rifle… I'll definitely keep you posted.

    Thanks again.

  13. Thank You to Fazakerley For This Useful Post:


  14. #10
    Legacy Member Salt Flat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 09:17 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    760
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:33 PM
    Fazakerley, Yes, I can see yout point. On aside, what do you know about that scope? I don't think Ive seen one like it. Salt Flat

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Sporterized No.4 T value ??
    By pastprime in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 09-12-2013, 09:46 AM
  2. Sporterized Krag - WTF?
    By MeatMarket in forum Krag Rifles
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: 06-17-2012, 09:28 PM
  3. Markings on Sporterized N1 Mk3*
    By ShooterNurse in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 01-19-2012, 07:14 AM
  4. FN Commercial or Sporterized?
    By ap3572001 in forum Mauser Rifles
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-11-2010, 09:13 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks